( there's a breakfast bar constructed into the apartment, a quarter wall that flashes a view into the kitchen. this two is severely under furnished, but there is a thrifted stool harry had found in the alley behind his apartment — it doesn't match anything, but it gives him a place to eat cereal in the morning. he takes a seat on it crosslegged, fishing out a tub of ice cream from their selection of snacks, and digging in.

no one here can yell at him about spoiling his dinner. )

Hm?

( he faces jin ling, watching him futz about. it doesn't take a genius to see the nerves in his shoulders, tense with tragedy. sometimes harry looks in the mirror, and sees this action reflected back at him. )

I think ... ( taking a bite of ice cream saves him a little time while he gets his thoughts straight, nodding at once. ) I think terrible things have happened to both of us. Terrible, unfair things.

And ... despite only knowing you for a short while, I do feel close to you, because of that. I've never really — met anyone who I could talk to, about certain things. Certain things I'd only say to someone who ... understands what it's like, I guess. ( he gives a shy smile down to his ice cream, fiddling with the spoon. ) Being with you feels really good, Jin Ling. I — like you. And — if we've both been through these terrible things, and you're as you are ... I think maybe, I might not be as terrible as I think.

Does that make any sense?

( he shakes his head, shy again, taking off his glasses to clean them. nervous habits. )

All that to say ... We do have a lot in common. Bad things, yes. ... But there's good, too, in understanding. Sometimes it's hard to see through the fog, but you've a soul of gold. I can see it clear as day from here.